Can Wheel Hub Stickers Pass the Annual Vehicle Inspection?
2 Answers
Wheel hub stickers can pass the annual vehicle inspection. According to the latest "Road Traffic Law Requirements," generally, merely changing tires, replacing wheel hubs, or altering the color of the wheel hubs without a full vehicle wrap color change does not constitute a significant alteration affecting vehicle identification and thus does not impact the annual inspection. More details are as follows: 1. The annual vehicle inspection primarily checks the vehicle's appearance, whether exhaust emissions exceed standards, potential safety hazards, the driver's record, and any traffic violations. If there are significant changes to the vehicle's appearance, such as color changes or modifications, these must be registered with the authorities. 2. Since applying stickers to the wheel hubs does not alter more than 30% of the vehicle's surface area, it does not require inspection registration. However, requirements may vary by region, so it's best to consult the local vehicle management office for specific regulations.
After driving for so many years, I can say that putting some decorative stickers on the wheel hub covers is generally acceptable during annual inspections as long as it doesn’t affect driving safety. The inspection mainly focuses on critical indicators like tire wear, braking systems, and lighting—wheel hub stickers aren’t a key inspection target. The key is to avoid overly flashy or reflective materials that could obstruct vision, and don’t cover the wheel’s size or production date markings, as inspectors might glance at those. Before each inspection, I always check that the stickers are firmly attached to prevent peeling or lifting edges, which could cause issues at high speeds. In short, keep the stickers low-key, use high-quality materials, and avoid overly flashy or reflective designs—then you should be fine. However, standards vary by inspection station, so to be safe, you might want to remove them beforehand to avoid any complications.